What Jesus Did

And Jesus said [to the blind man who was pleading to be able to see], "All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you." Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.

—Luke 18:42-43 NLT

Key Thought


The crowds knew that Jesus' acts of compassion were not to draw attention to himself, but to bring praise to God. He lived his life to bring honor, glory, and praise to his Father. Just as Jesus lived to...

 

When Jesus heard [the blind man who was pleading for mercy], he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" "Lord," he said, "I want to see!"

—Luke 18:40-41 NLT

Key Thought


You see people on the street. "How you doing?" they ask. "Fine." Your reply is automatic and instinctive. However, you are not fine. You just know that they don't really want to hear about your burdens. They are...

 

As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. So he began shouting, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" "Be quiet!" the people in front yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

—Luke 18:35-39 NLT

Key Thought


So often we let the noise and commotion of our crowded lives distract...

 

Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus said, "Listen, we're going up to Jerusalem, where all the predictions of the prophets concerning the Son of Man will come true. He will be handed over to the Romans, and he will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit upon. They will flog him with a whip and kill him, but on the third day he will rise again." But they didn't understand any of this. The significance of his words was hidden from them, and they failed to grasp what he was talking about...

 

Peter said, "We've left our homes to follow you." "Yes," Jesus replied, "and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come."

—Luke 18:28-30 NLT

Key Thought


No matter what we may give up for the sake of the Kingdom and to honor the Lord, it will be nothing compared to what God has promised us...

 

When Jesus saw [that the rich man was sad when told he should surrender his wealth, Jesus] said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!"

—Luke 18:24-25 NLT

Key Thought


While material riches can be a great blessing and can be used to bless many in need and to do great things for the Kingdom, riches may also be a trap to us. The...

 

[Jesus said,] "In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!" Those who heard this said, "Then who in the world can be saved?" He replied, "What is impossible for people is possible with God."

—Luke 18:25-27 NLT

Key Thought


Many things are hard for us. Others seem impossible. Jesus wants us to realize that when we live for the Kingdom — if we trust in God's power to be at work within us —...

 

The man replied, "I've obeyed all these commandments since I was young." When Jesus heard his answer, he said, "There is still one thing you haven't done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich.

—Luke 18:21-23 NLT

Key Thought


Our one additional thing also can be huge. For the rich man, the one additional thing Jesus called...

 

Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: "Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?" ... [Jesus said,] "But to answer your question, you know the commandments: 'You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.'" The man replied, "I've obeyed all these commandments since I was young."

—Luke 18:18, 20-21 NLT

Key Thought


While most of us can say we have never...

 

Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: "Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why do you call me good?" Jesus asked him. "Only God is truly good."

—Luke 18:18-19 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus was challenging the religious leader to wake up and understand the truth that stood right in front of him. If he was calling Jesus "good," then he must come to understand that Jesus is God and not play religious games, but truly come to believe. Jesus...